Democracy 21 Education Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that works to protect and strengthen our democracy, ensure the integrity of our elections and government decisions, serve as a government watchdog, and empower citizens in the political process.
Democracy 21 Education Fund was founded in 1997 and is led by Fred Wertheimer, who has more than five decades of experience in democracy reform and accountability efforts. He is one of the nation’s leading experts on campaign finance reform, government ethics, accountable government and other democracy-related areas, including the Freedom to Vote Act.
Wertheimer has led efforts to hold public officials accountable; worked successfully to enact historic laws covering campaign finance, lobbying, government ethics, and other democracy reforms; and has been a key figure in helping protect those laws in the courts.
Democracy 21 Education Fund carries out research and analysis of campaign financing, voting rights, ethics, and other democracy-related issues and reforms. It has provided research and reports examining core legal cases facing our democracy, including the Citizens United and McCutcheon Supreme Court cases that set the stage for eviscerating the campaign contribution limits enacted in response to the Watergate scandals, opening the big money floodgates, and unleashing unlimited Super PAC and dark money contributions.
Recent work by Democracy 21 Education Fund has also included an analysis of the Supreme Court’s 2024 decision on presidential immunity, the impact of campaign finance reforms in states and municipalities, the impact of the Watergate reforms, and the history of the Senate filibuster.
Democracy 21 Education Fund’s work includes:
- Conducting research, analysis, and public communications on democracy reforms – including fundamental reform of the campaign finance system and core voting rights protections;
- Serving as a government watchdog and keeping a public spotlight on corruption and abuse of office in the Executive Branch, in Congress, and at the Supreme Court;
- Supporting legal and litigation efforts to protect our democracy and the rule of law, and address government abuses;
- Providing leadership in the coalition we helped to create to oppose a constitutional convention, which would jeopardize the constitutional rights and protections for all Americans; and
- Supporting an enforceable code of ethics for Supreme Court Justices.
Democracy 21 Education Fund continues its work to preserve, protect, and strengthen our democracy, our Constitution, and the rule of law.